Starter for internal-combustion engines.



E. .l. THUR BER & J. W. RACKLYEFT.

STARTER FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES. APPLICATION FILED 050.17, 1914.

Patented May 30,1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

E. J. THURBEH & J. W. RACKLYEFT. STARTER FOR INTERNAL comausnow ENGINES.

vAPPLICATION FILED DEC- 19H. 1,185,147., Patented May'30, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

E. J. THURBER & J. w. RAC KLYEF I. STARTER FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES.

APPLICATION FILED DEC-17,19I4- Patented May 30,1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Jain. l lfllzzctiy f EDWARD J'. THURBER, OF NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA, AND J OHN W. RACKL-YEFT', 015

DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNORS, BY

vmsnn nssiomvmnTs, TO NORTHERN ENG-L NEERING WonKs, or DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OTIMIGHIGAN.

STARTER FOR INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES.

Application filed December 17, 1914. Serial No. 877,8315.

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that we, EDWARD J 2 THURBER, a citizen of the United States of America, residing in New Orleans, parish of Orleans, State of Louisiana, and JOHN W. RACK- LYEFT, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Detroit, county of Wayne, and State of. Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Starters for Internal-Combustion Engines, of which the following is a specification, reference beinghad therein to the accompanying drawings. v

The invention relates to starters for internal combustion engines and more particularly to rotary starters of the type actuated by a compressed fluid.

The invention has among the objects thereof to provide a simple and efficient starting mechanism; to provide a starting mechanism that is compactly arranged and comparatively light, so that the apparatus will not take up any unnecessary room or add much' weight to the engine. Further to provide an apparatus in which the parts are compactly arranged within the casing so as to form a single unitary structure for attaching to or detaching from the engine.

Other objects of the invention will more fully hereinafter appear.-

The invention resides in the peculiar construction, arrangement and combination of parts as hereinafter set forth and as particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings,Figure, 1 is a central vertical longitudinal section of 'a starting mechanism embodying the invention; Fig. 2 is a section on the line 6 -6 of Fig. 1 with certain parts broken away; Fig. 3 isa section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a section on the line 44 of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

The invention is primarily designed for use on automobile and marine engines of the explosion or combustion type, and generically embodies in a compact structure a fluid-operated rotary motor, a transmission. mechanism and other suitable elements.

Referring to the one embodiment of the inventionshown in the drawings, 1 desig-, nates thecasing, divided by aweb or partitioni;-2: into two chambers. Within one of the chambersis arranged a rotary motor, while of a clutch.

in the opposite chamber is arranged the transmission and clutch mechanism. In the structure illustrated, the casing upon one side of the web is provided with an annular rim 3' that is disposed eccentric with rela tion to the shaft bearing 4 in the web, while connected to the outer edge of'the rim 3 as by screws 5 is a cap'plate 6, the latter forming with the rim 3 and the web 2 a chamber for the rotor. The inner peripheral wall6 of this chamber-as will be noted upon reference to Figs. 1 and 3-'is eccentric to the Patented May so, rat a shaft bearing 4. The rotor consists ofa web 7 having an inwardly-extending flange 8 arranged concentric to the hub 9 of the web 7. J

I 10 are the blades ofthe rotor, three being herein shown, which are arranged for longitudinal movement in, slots 11 in the web 7 and flange 8.- The latter and theblades 10 are of a width to nicely fit between the ,web 2 and plate 6. As shown in Fig. 1, the blades are provided adjacent their lower ends with .cut away portions 12 which are adapted to engage a ring 13 arranged to travel within an annular guide groove 14 in the flange 8. This ring is free and acts as a .means for causing the blades. to move outto be reciprocated longitudinally, as will be readily understood. During the rotation of the motor the sleeve 16 will turn therewith.

The, transmission inechanismis herein shown as of the naled upon. stub or rim gear 21. The latter is carried by a disk 22 which is connected by means of screws 23 to a member 24 that forms a part 25 is the other clutch member which is keyed to a shaft 26 that is free to rotate in the sleeve 16.

28 are spring-pressed dogs which in one if planetary type. Thus jourshafts 19 are pinions 20, which are in constant mesh with an internal direction of rotation of the'member 24, are adapted to lock said member to the member 25, while in the opposite direction of rotation will disconnect the members 24 and 25.

As shown in Fig. 1 the sleeve 16 is provided with a portion that projects within the transmission mechanism housing, and this portion of the sleeve is provided with a pinion 29 that meshes with the pinions 20.

, 30 is a shaft journaled in a bearing-31 and fixedto rotate with the shaft 26, the shaft 30 in effect forming a continuation of the member 26.

The transmission mechanism chamber is closed by a cap memer 32 that is connected by means of screws 33 to the edge 34 of an annular flange 35 extendinglaterally from the web 2 and concentric with the bearing 4. The cap 32 is provided with a recessed or chambered portion 36 within which is arranged the clutch mechanism and this cap carries at its outer end the bearing 31. Detach'a-bly connected to the cap of the rotor chamber is a pump housing 37 within which is arranged a pump 38, the pump housing being attached to the cap by means of bolts 39. As shown, the end of the driven shaft has a portion 40 projecting within the pump housing and splined orotherwise' suitably connected to a sleeve 41 journaled adjacent itsouter end in a bearing 42. The pump. is provided with an eccentric 43 having a bearing 44 journaled upon the sleeve 41' and the latter and the bearing 44 are adapted to be coupled together by means of aclutch member 45 free to slide upon the sleeve 41 but secured thereto against rotation, and

having teeth 46 adapted to engage teeth 47 on the bearing 44. As the detailed construc-' tion of the pump mechanism does not form a part of the invention of this application,

'a description thereof will not be given. The

outer end of the pump casing is closed by -means of a cover plate 48'andpreferably the outer end of the sleeve 41 is provided with a crank-engaging. portion 49 for receiving the usual starting crank in case the rotary starter becomes inoperative. Normally the crank-engaging portion 49 is inclosed by means of a cap 50. As before stated, the sleeve or driving shaft 16 is journaled' in a bearing carried by the web or partition 2. This bearing in the structure illustrated projects laterally from. the partition into the chamber. of the rotor, this being permitted by the cut-away portions of the plates or pistons. As shown.

' in Fig. 1, the openings between the several chambers in the casing are all suitably sealed by packing material.

In operation, assuming that the portion 30 is fixedly connected to the engine shaft when compressed air or other compressed fluid is admitted into the rotor chamber, the rotor is started in motion, which turns the through the latter, the crank shaft. When the engine is started the speed of rotation of the shaft 30 is greater than that of the drive shaft 16, which causes the dogs to allow the member 24 to be disconnected from the member 25.

The pump is employed for storing compressed air in a tank or other chamber, as will be readily understood, and normally is disconnected from the shaft 26. During the operation of the engine, when'it is desired to add compressed air to the tank the clutch member 45 is longitudinally shifted through the medium of a lever 51, to cause the pump to be coupled to the sleeve 41 that is splined to the shafts 26.

From the foregoing description it will be readily understood that a starting mechanism embodying the invention forms a very compact structure and a complete unit in itself, the unit being arranged within a single casing. However, for certain uses the pump may not be employed, and we consider the invention to be of suiiicient scope to embodya starting unit having but the rotor and the transmission mechanism.

While a novel and very efficient construction has been shownand described, we do not desire to limit the protection to the one embodiment of the invention illustrated, but

consider the invention to be of sufficient scope to embody various modifications.

What we claim as our invention is 1. lln a starter, a main casing including a central Web having 'a shaft bearing and side annular rims, one of which rims is eccentric and the other is concentric to said bearing,

a cover plate-secured to said eccentric rim to form a rotor chamber, a rotor and its pistons mounted within said chamber, means for admitting working fluid into said chamber and exhausting it therefrom, a driving shaft to which the rotor is secured, a second cover centric and the other is concentric to said bearing, a cover plate secured to said eccentric' rim to form a rotor chamber, a rotor and its pistons mounted within said chamber, means for admitting working fluid into said chamber and exhausting it therefrom, a driving shaft to which the rotor is secured, a second cover plate secured to said concentric rim to inciosea transmission chamber, said second cover plate having a shaft bearing, a driven shaft mounted. in said last named bearing and power transmitting mechanisms for operativeiy connecting said shafts together, said transmitting mechanism including a train of gearing.

3. In a starter, a main casing including a central web having a shaft bearing and side annular rims, one'of-which rims is eccentric and the other is concentric to said bearing, a cover plate secured to said eccentric rim to form a rotor chamber, a rotor and its pistons mounted within said chamber, means for admitting working fluid into said chamber and exhaustingit therefrom, a driving shaft to which the rotor is secured,-a second cover plate secured to' said concentric'rim to inclose a transmission chamber, said second cover plate having a shaft bearing, a driven shaft mounted in said last nanied bearing and power transmitting mechanisms within said transmission chamber for operatively connecting said shafts together, said transmitting mechanisms including a train of gearing and a self-operating clutch.

4. Inastarter, a casing including an cccentric and a concentric rim with an inter nal partition web having a shaft bearing and located between said rims, covers secured to said runs to form respectively a rotorchamber on one side of said partition and a transmission chamber on the other side of the same,'a driving shaft and a driven shaft, a rotor within said rotor chamber-on said driving shaft, transmission gearing and a clutch device within said transmlssion chamber for transferring the'power of said driving shaft to said driven shaft. I p

5. In a starter, a casing-including an eccentric and a concentric rim with an internal partition web having a shaft bearing and. lo-' cated between said rims, covers secured to said rims to form res ectively a rotor chamber on one side of sai partition and a trans} mission chamber on the. other side'of'the same, a driving shaft and a driven shaft, a rotor within said rotor chamber on said driving shaft, a. transmission mechanism and clutch device within said transmission chamber for transferring the power of said driving shaft to said driven shaft, said tra' smission mechanism and clutch device inc uding a driving pinion on the driving shaft, intermediate gears carried by said partition to mesh with said pinion, an internal rim gear meshing with saiddntermeeluding a driving pinion on shaft, intermediate gears carried by said diate gears, a member for carrying said rim gear, and a clutch connection between said member and sald driven shaft.

' 6. In a starter, a casing including an ecber on one side of the said partition and a.

transmission chamber on the other side of the same, a driving shaft and a driven shaft, a rotor within sald rotor chamber on said driving shaft, a transmission mechanism and clutch device within said transmission chamber for transferring the power of said driving shaft to said driven shaft, said transmission mechanism and clutch device inthe driving partition to mesh with said driving pinion, an internal rim gear meshing with said intermediate gears, a member for carrying said rim gear, and a clutch comprising a member attached to the first-mentioned member, a cooperating clutch member fixed to the driven shaft, and connecting elements between the clutch members.

7. In a starter, a casing including an eccentric and aconcentric rim with an internal partition web having ashaft bearing and located between said rims, covers secured to said rims to form respectively a rotor chamber on one side of said partition and a transmission chamber on the other side of the same, a driving shaft and a driven-shaft, a rotor within said rotor chamber on" said driving shaft, a transmission'mechanism and clutch device within said transmission chamber for transferring the power of said driving shaft to said driven shaft, said transmission 'mechanism and clutch device including a and a clutch comprising a member attached to the first mentioned member, a cooperatin clutch member fixed to the driven shaft an connecting elements between the ciutch members, the cover of Said transmission chamber having a chambered portion to re-- ceive said off-set member.

8. Ina starter, a casing including a pa rtition having a bearing and annular rims upon opposite sides of said partition, one of which rims is eccentric and the other-con-.

centric to said bearing, cover plates secured to said rims to form respectively. a rotor chamber in one side of said partition and a transmission chamber on the other side of the same, a rotor within the rotor chamber, a drive shaft rotated by said rotor, a driven shaft, and transmission mechanism in the transmission chamber forming a driving connection between the drive and driven shafts.

9. In a starter, a casing having a partition, a rotor Within said casing ato-ne side of the partition, a transmission mechanism and a clutch device within said casing at the other side of said partition, a drive shaft fixed to rotate with the rotor, a driven shaft actuable from the driveshaft through said transmission mechanism and clutch device, the inner peripheral wall of the rotor chamber of the casing being eccentric to said drive shaft.

10. In a starter, a casing having an integral partition dividing the same into a rotor chamber and a transmission chamber, a rotor and transmission mechanism respectively arranged in said chambers, covers separately removable to give access to said chambers, and concentric drive and driven shafts, the former being fixed to rotate with the rotor, and the latter being actuable from the drive shaft through said transmission mechanism.

11. In a starter, a casing including a central partition dividing the same into a rotor chamber and atransmission chamber, and rotor andf transmissi on mechanisms respectively arranged in said chambers, a drive shaft fixed to rotate with said rotor, a driven. shaft actuated from the drive shaft through the medium of said transmission mechanism, a

bearing carried by the partition of one of Said shafts projecting laterally into the rotor chamber, said rotor including blades having cut-away portions adjacent their inner ends to receive said bearings.

12. Ina starter,acasing,arotor arranged in said casing, transmission mechanism positioned within the casing, a drive shaft, a driven shaft actuated from the drive shaft through the medium of said transmission mechanism, the two said shafts being concentric and said. parts being assembled to form an operative unit.

13. In a starter, a casing formed with two circular chambers, respectively concentric and eccentric to the casing,a transmission mechanism and a rotor respectively arranged in said chambers, a drive shaft fixed to rotate with the rotor, and a driven shaft actuated from the drive shaft through the medium of said transmission mechanism In testimony whereof We afiix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

EDVV. I. 'IHURBER. Witnesses:

SoLoMoN WOLFE, MILDRED M. PENDERGAST.

. JOHN W. RAGKLYEFT. Witnesses:

ADELAIDE I. ADAMS, J. S. MURRAY. 

